Packaging machine



March 9, 1937.

P. W. GROW PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 w 54 41a m 5% v 1 M9 M7 jab I J J m 8 46 & mg. 4

i 444 m J V% m 26 I I] Inventor '5 A j Paul W. G rbw Attorneys March 9, 1937. P. w. GROW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Paul Grow 5 Jlttorneqs March 9, 1937. P. w. GROW 2,073,007

I PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Au 26-. 1955 4 Sheets-$he et'4 1'55 Invefitor Paul v \X @110? L85 Q Bu 04% Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES AT'ENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to packaging machines and has for an object to provide a machine by means of which wooden boxes and particularly wire bound boxes may be readily erected and the contents packed within the same.

An object of the invention resides in providing a packaging machine for use in conjunction with a box having two portions to be drawn together, said packaging machine comprising a stationary abutment and a movable abutment movable toward and from the stationary abutment, said abutments engaging such portions of the box and serving to draw the same together.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a packaging machine including a support, a stationary abutment and a guide extending toward said stationary abutment and in further providing a movable abutment guided for movement by said guide.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a rack movable with said movable abutment and in providing a pinion meshing with said rack for reciprocating said movable abutment.

A feature of the invention resides in providing.

a shaft to which the pinion is attached and in securing to said shaft a drum having a cable Wound about the same.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a foot operated lever for operating said cable.

An object of the invention resides in constructing said guide from two spaced bars having grooves therein and in forming the movable abutment with an elongated member having tongues slidable within said grooves.

A still further object of the invention resides in arranging said elongated member so that the lower surface thereof is exposed and in attaching said rack to the exposed surface of said elongated member.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the packaging machine with a framework including a main frame rectangular in form and an auxiliary frame also rectangular in form and superimposing said main frame.

An object of the invention resides in providing means at the corners of said frames for supporting said auxiliary frame at any elevation above said main frame.

A feature of the invention resides in providing triangular shaped uprights at the corners of the frame having inclined surfaces and in providing lugs on the auxiliary frame for engagement therewith, said inclined surfaces maintaining the auxiliary frame at various elevations above themain frame.

An object of the invention resides in constructing one or more of said inclined surfaces with notches adapted to receive certain of the lugs on the auxiliary frame.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a table attached to the auxiliary frame for supporting the box, said table being spaced from one of the frame members.

An object of the invention resides in constructing said abutments so that the same extend upwardly above the table when at its highest position, one of said abutments being disposed within the space between said table and the adjacent frame member and being movable within said space toward and from the other abutment.

Another object of the invention resides in providing means for rapidly releasing the movable abutment from engagement with the box.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a packaging machine illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary elevational sectional views taken on lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a developed view of a blank from which the box is constructed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar toFig, 1 of another form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 6. I

Fig. 8 is an inverted plansectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an elevational cross sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view taken on line |0l0 of Fig. '7.

In the assembling and packing of boxes and particularly wire bound boxes, considerable difficulty and inconvenience has been encountered in supporting the parts while being assembled and in supporting the same during the packing of the box.- The present invention forms an extremely simple and practical construction, boxes of such nature may be quickly and conveniently assembled and after being assembled, can be easily and quickly packed and closed.

whereby Lil In order to more fully comprehend the invention, I have shown in Fig. 5 a blank from which a box capable of being erected with my invention is constructed. This blank consists of four panels 9, IO, N and 2 which are constructed of ply wood or some other similar material. The panels 9 and form the top and bottom of the box and are identical in construction. These parts have secured to the lateral edges 23 and 24 thereof wood cleats 2| and 22 which are of the same length as the width of the box and extend up to the longitudinal edges 25 and 26 of said panels. cleats 2| and 22 or secured thereto in any other suitable manner. The panels l0 and I2 are also similar in construction and are of the same width as the panels 9 and and are provided with cleats l5 and I6, which are disposed along the lateral edges l3 and 4 thereof. These cleats are of a length less than the height of the box by twice'the thickness of the cleats 2| and 22 so that when the box is assembled the ends of said cleats extend up to the cleats 2| and 22. The four panels 9, III, II and I2 are bound together by two or more lengths of wire 35 and 36 which may be single or double stranded and which are secured directly to the cleats and to the panels by staples 31 or otherwise. The arrangement of the panels when the boxes are in knocked down form, is shown in Fig. 5. In the erection of boxes of the kind illustrated, the three panels I0, [I and |2 are folded into U- shaped form with panels I0 and II parallel and panel extending across panels I0 and II. In

. such position the two cleats 2| and 22 of panel I I lie between the ends of the cleats |5, N5 of panels Ill and H and the edges |8 of said panels. While in U-shaped form, end panels without cleats are inserted into the interior of the box and placed upon the various cleats. One of the panels rests upon cleats 5 of panels l0 and I2 and upon cleat 2| of panel II. This panel is nailed to said cleats from the interior of the box. In a similar manner the other end panel is secured to cleats N5 of panels l0 and I2 onto cleat 22 of panel H by being nailed to said cleats. This leaves the panel 9 hinged to panel I0 and free from the other panels and serving as a cover for the box. After the box has been erected in this manner, the same is filled and the panel 9 swung into position to close the open end thereof. The ends of the two lengths of wire 35 and 36 are next brought together and looped or twisted which securely holds the cover in place and binds the sides of the box to form a rigid and substantial construction.

My invention proper, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, comprises a framework indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 38. This framework includes a main frame 39 arranged on an incline which is supported on four legs 4|, 42, 43 and 44. The frame 39 comprises side frame members 45 and 46 and end frame members 41 and 48. These frame members are constructed of angle iron and are welded together at the corners. Frame members 45, 46, 41 and 48 have inwardly extending flanges 49 and downwardly extending flanges 50. Legs 4|, 42, 43 and 44 are also constructed of angle iron and are welded to said main frame 39 at the corners thereof. These legs lie adjacent the flanges 59 of said angles and are preferably welded directly thereto. The lower ends of the legs 4|, 42, 43 and 44 are secured together and braced by means of braces 5|, 52, 53 and 54 which may be con- These panels may be nailed to the said structed of either bar material or angle iron. These braces are also welded to the legs at the particular localities shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

superimposing the main frame 39 is an auxiliary frame 55. This frame is rectangular in form, the same as the frame 39, but is slightly narrower and is constructed with side frame members 56 and 51, an intermediate frame member 61 and end frame members 59 and 6|. These frame members are constructed from angles which have upwardly extending flanges 62 and inwardly extending flanges 63. The frame members 56, 51, 59 and 6| are welded together at the corners. The frame members 51, 61, 59 and 6| have their flanges arranged so as to form a recess 64 extending about the same, as best shown in Fig. 1. In this recess is disposed a table 65 constructed of wood or some other suitable material. This table rests upon the flanges 63 of said frame members. frame member 56 to form an opening 66 through the frame for a purpose to be subsequently more fully described. This causes the table 65 to extend only partly across the frame 55, said table being disposed in close proximity to the frame member 56 and to the right of the auxiliary frame. Secured to the flange 62 of the frame member 6| of frame 55 are two strips of metal 68 and 69 which extend upwardly therefrom and.

which serve as gauges for holding the boxto be operated upon in proper position upon the, table.

Two bars 60 extend across the frame members.

56 and 61 and lie flush with the upper surface of the table top 65, these bars serving to support boxes resting upon the table 65 and of a width greater than the width of said table.

For the purpose of supportingthe frame 55 upon the framework 38, four uprights 1|, 12, 13

and 14 are employed. These uprights are con-.

structed from metal plates and are preferably triangular in form, being provided'with inclined edges 15, 16, 11 and 18. These uprights are preferably welded to the flanges 49 of the frame members 45 and 46 and extend upwardly therefrom. The edges 15, 16, 11 and 18 are all parallel with one another and have the same degree of inclination. Secured to the frame members 56 and 51 of the frame 55 are lugs 6| and 82 which are adapted to rest on the respective inclined edges 15, 16, 11 and 18 of uprights 1|, 12, 13 and 14. The inclined edges 11 and 16 are constructed serrated as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to provide notches 83 therein. The lugs 92 are also constructed triangular as shown in Fig. 1 and are adapted to fit into the said notches. By means of this construction the frame 55 can be elevated by sliding the same upwardly along the edges 15 and 16 of uprights 1| and 12 and when the rearward portion of the frame is at the proper elevation the lower portion of the frame can be lowered until the lugs 82 engage the proper notches 83. The table 65 then becomes supported at the desired elevation.

Below the table 65 is a guide indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 84. This guide consists of two guide bars 85 and 85 which are spaced from one another'and which are welded to the flanges 49 of the frame members 45 and 46. The guide bars 85 and 86 have facing grooves 81 and 88 therein and are arranged in spaced relation to form therebetween a slot 89 exposed at both the top and bottom thereof. 'Within the slot 89 is slidably mounted a slide 9| which is' in the form of an elongated bar fitting snugly be-- and 86. This slide is constructed with tongues 92 at the lateral edges thereof which fit into the grooves 81 and 88 and which cause the said slide to travel in a transverse direction with respect to the frame 39 and at an elevation below the table 65. Slide 9| is formed at one end with an upstanding bracket 93. This bracket has attached to it an arm 99 which extends longitudinally of the frame 39 and which is offset as indicated at 95 and 95 to bring the end portions 29? and 298 of said arm down to the level of the fiange 49 of said frame members 95 and it. The arm 94 has secured to it a number of upwardly extending fingers 9'5 which are adapted to engage the portions of the box to be brought together, as will be subsequently more fully described. The fingers 91 are of a length such that the same project upwardly beyond the table 55 when its uppermost position and are disposed within the opening 66 in frame 55. A number of fingers 98 similar to the fingers 91 are secured to the frame member 46 and project upwardly therefrom, said fingers being disposed exteriorly of the frame member 51 of frame 55. Fingers 98 are preferably of the same length as the fingers These various fingers form abutments which engage the sides or the ends of the box and which when the slide 91 is moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, compress the sides of the box and hold the same in such position while the contents of the box are being packed and the box closed.

For moving the slide 95 along the guide 99, a rack 99 is provided upon the under surface of said slide which is exposed from beneath by virtue of the slot 89 being open at the lowermost portion thereof. The slide 9i may be cast and when cast the rack 99 is cast integral therewith. If desired, however, the slide 9i may be constructed from bar material and in such case the rack is separately constructed and thereafter attached to said bar. Attached to the bar and frame member 59 of frame 39 are two hangers I9! and I02 best shown in Fig. 2. These hangers are preferably welded to the said parts and are drilled at their lower ends to provide bearings which journal a shaft I95. Shaft lee has attached to it a gear segment or pinion its which meshes with the rack 99.

Shaft I has attached to it a drum I9! which has secured to it two cables I99 and I99. These cables are wound in grooves Iii formed in the drum I91 and when separately tensioned are adapted to rotate the shaft I95 in opposite directions. Cable I99 has secured to its free end a coil spring H2 which in turn is secured to the frame member 45 of frame 39. Cable I98 passes over a pulley H3 secured to frame member 99 of frame member 99 and extends downwardly therefrom.

Pivoted to the brace 53 of framework 38 is a lever H4. A rivet H5 extends through the end of this lever and frame member and constitutes the pivot for the same. This lever is formed with an offset H9 so that the forward portion thereof is disposed adjacent the leg 53 of framework 39. lever is adapted to move in a vertical direction about the pivot H5 and has secured to it the end of the cable 198. When the lever H4 is moved downwardly, cable is tensioned and the drum H3? rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. This causes the slide 9I to travel toward the right and abut ments 91 thus move toward abutments 98. For operating the lever IN! a pedal M8 is secured to the extreme end II? of said lever. By exerting pressure upon the pedal I It as by stepping upon the same, cable I98 may be drawn downwardly to urge the abutments 9"! against the box resting upon the table 65 with sufiicient force to hold the sides thereof in place, while the box is being packed. For guiding the lever I! for direct vertical movement, a keeper H9 is employed which is attached to the brace 54 and the leg 43. This keeper is spaced from the said leg to provide a slot l2l therebetween along which the end I I! of lever I I4 travels. By means of this keeper lateral movement of the lever I 54 is prevented.

For the purpose of holding the shaft I05 in adjusted position, a ratchet wheel I2I is employed which is attached to said shaft in prox-. imity to the hanger I92. This ratchet wheel is constructed with ratchet teeth I24 adapted to be engaged by a pawl I22. A stud I25 extending through this pawl is secured to the hanger I92 and pivotally holds the pawl so that the same may move-into or out of engagement with the teeth I 23 of said ratchet wheel. The pawl I22 has pivoted to it an operating rod I26 which passes through the leg 43 and has secured to the end thereof a knob I23. The weight of the pawl I22 causes thesame to engage the teeth I24, When the knob is pressed inwardly, pawl 522 is raised and disengaged from the teeth I24, permitting the spring IIZ to retract the movable abutment back to normal position.

The use of the invention is as follows: 65 is first elevated to a height such that the distance between the ends of the abutments 98 and the table 65 is equal to or slightly less than the height of the box to be handled on the machine. walls thereof are in place, the box is set upon the table 65 with the open portion extending upwardly and with one of its ends resting against one or both of the ledges 99 and 68. The foot is next applied tothe pedal H9 which tensions cable I98 and causes clockwise rotation of the shaft I95. This rotates pinion I95 which in turn causes reciprocation of the slide 9i along guide 94. This brings about movement of the abutments 91 toward the abutments 98. When the abutments engage the sides of the box, the same are moved or drawn together a sufficient amount to prevent bulging of the sides when the box is packed. By means of the ratchet MI and the pawl I22, the shaft I95 is held in adjusted posi tion. As soon as proper adjustment is procured, the pressure is released from the pedal H9 and the operator is free to pack the box. Packing of the box now proceeds and when packed the cover of the box is applied. The ends of the wires 35 and 39 are next twisted together or looped and the packing operations are completed. When wire bound wooden boxes are used the cleats 2| and 22 of the top 9 of the box straddle the two ends of the box the same as the cleats 2i and 22 of the panel II. The pressure of the contents of the box usually forces the ends against said cleats and holds the end structure of the box firmly in position. When the wires have been fastened the abutments 97 are released by exerting pressure on the button I23. This moves the dog out of engagement with the teeth I24 of ratchet I2! and permits the spring H2 to rotate the drum I01 in a counter-clockwise direction and return the abutments 9? to the position shown in Fig, 1. The box may then be removed and the operation repeated on another box.

Although I have described my invention as usable in conjunction with wire bound wooden Table After the box is erected and the five therein while the slide boxes, it can also be comprehended that the same may be used in conjunction with paper boxes or any other type of box in which it is desired to hold the walls of the box from bulging while the same is being filled or packed and a closure is being applied thereto.

In Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, I have shown another form of my invention which may be used for erecting a wire bound wooden box such as illustrated in Fig. 5. The device comprises a framework i3! which consists of aframe I32 supported on legs I33, I34, I35 and I36. Frame I32 comprises longitudinal frame members I 31 and I39 and transverse frame members MI and I42. These frame members are constructed of angle iron having downwardly extending flanges I43 and horizontally extending flanges I44, said frame members being mitered and welded together at the corners. The legs I33, I34, I35 and I 36 are also constructed of angle iron and are received within the flanges I 43 of frame I32 and welded to the flanges I43 thereof. The framework I3I also includes braces I45, I46, I41 and I48 which are welded to legs I33, I34, I35 and I36 at localities best shown in Figs. 6 and 9.

Secured to the flanges I 44 of frame I32 is a table I 49 which is coextensive in area with the said frame I42. This table may be bolted or otherwise secured to the flanges I44 of said frame. Secured to the one end of the table I49 is an abutment II which is stationary with respect to said table. Another abutment I52 carried by said table is movable toward and from the abutment I5! and is moved by a mechanism now to be described in detail.

The abutment I5I is preferably secured to the table I49 by means of screws or otherwise. For the purpose of illustration the said abutment has been shown as attached to one end of the table I49 though it can readily be comprehended that the same may be attached at any locality with respect thereto. When exceedingly short boxes are to be handled in the machine, the movement of the movable abutment I52 may not be sufficient to bring the parts of the box together. In such case, abutment I5I can be moved closer to the abutment I52.

Extending across the two frame members I31 and I38 is a transverse guide I53 which consists of two spaced guide bars I54 and I55. These guide bars are formed with a slot I56 therebetween in which a slide I51 is slidable. The guide bars I54 and I55 have transverse grooves I58 I51 has tongues I59 formed thereon which slide in said grooves. Slide I51 has attached to it an abutment I6I similar to the abutment I5I which is arranged at right angles thereto. All of the abutments I5I, I52 and I6! are constructed of angle iron and are formed with flanges I63 resting upon the surface of the table I49 and with other flanges I54 extending upwardly therefrom and which engage the portions of the box disposed upon the table I49.

Extending between the guide I53 and the frame member I42 of frame I32 is another guide I65. This guide comprises two guide bars I66 and I61 identical with the guide bars I54 and I55 which are spaced from one another to provide a slot I 98 therebetween and which are formed with facing grooves I69. These bars are secured to the frame member I42 and are welded to the guide bar I55 of guide I53. Slidable in slot. I68 is a slide I1I identical with slide I 51 which is constructed with tongues I12 slidable in the grooves I69. The abutment I52 is directly secured to the exposed upper surface of the slide HI and is adapted to be moved toward the stationary abutment I5I upon movement of the slide I1I in guide I65.

For the purpose of sliding slide I1I in slot I68, the said slide is constructed upon the under surface thereof with a rack I13. A shaft I14 extending transversely beneath the frame I32 has attached to it a gear segment or pinion I15 which meshes with the rack I13. This shaft is journaled in bearings I16 and I11 which are welded to the longitudinal frame members I31 and I38. Cotter pins I19 extending through said shaft hold the shaft from longitudinal movement with respect to said bearings. Adjacent the gear I 15 on shaft I14 is attached a drum I8I. This drum has secured to it two cables I82 and I83 which are wrapped about a groove I84 formed in said drum. The cable I82 has secured to the free end a tension coil spring I85 which in turn is secured to the frame member I4I of frame I32. Cable I83 extends downwardly and is operated by a device to be presently described in detail. When the cable I83 is tensioned, shaft I14 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction which causes abutment I52 to travel toward the abutment I5I.

Attached to the brace I48 of framework I3I is a bracket I86 which has pivoted to it a lever I81. This lever extends below the brace I41 and forwardly thereof. The forward portion I88 of the lever I81 has attached to it a pedal I89 by means of which the said lever may be depressed. The free end of cable I83 is attached to lever I81 and when pressure is exerted upon the pedal I89 the shaft I14 is rotated and the abutment I52 caused to travel toward the abutment I5I. For the purpose of guiding the forward end of lever I68 for vertical movement, two guide bars I9I and I92 are employed which are secured to the brace I41 in spaced relation to provide a slot I93 therebetween and along which the portion I 88 of lever I81 may travel. lower ends of the bars I9I and I92 are connected together by means of a tie rod I94 which is welded thereto and which is welded to the leg I36 of the framework I 3I.

The abutment I6I may be moved laterally along the guide I53 by means of a construction best shown in Fig. 9. On the underside of the slide I51 is a boss I95 which is threaded to receive a screw I96. Screw I96 passes through the flanges I43 of frame members I31 and I38 of frame I32 and is held from endwise movement with respect thereto by means of cotter pins I91 passing through said screw. One end of the screw I96 projects outwardly beyond the frame member I31 for a considerable distance and is bent to form a crank indicated by the reference numeral I98. By rotating this crank, screw I96 is screwed in the threaded boss I95 and slide I51 caused to move along the guide I56. This adjusts the position of the abutment I6I with respect to the table I49 and permits of placing said abutment at any locality transversely thereof and of holding it in such adjusted position.

The manner of using the construction shown in Figs. 6 to inclusive is as follows: A'box blank 8 such as shown in Fig. 5 is first folded up into U-shaped form by bending the wires 35 and 36 at the localities where the edges I8 and 25 of panels I6 and II meet and where the edges I8 and 26 of panels II and I2 meet.

The 14 The box is then set upon the table I49 with the panel l adjacent the abutment l! and panel I! adjacent the abutment l6! and with the edges l3 and 23 of said panels resting upon the table I49. 5 Abutment l6i may be adjusted by means of the screw I96 so as to hold the box in proper position upon the table M9 to permit of easily manipulating the machine and applying the end panels to the same. When the parts of the box 10 are so positioned one of the end panels '5 of the box is inserted into the box and laid upon the cleats l5 of panels l0 and I2 and upon cleat 21 of panel ll. With the parts of the box so positioned, pressure is exerted upon the pedal 58?: which moves abutment l52 toward abutment Hi. This forces the two panelsv iii and I2 against the endpanel l and holds the said panels in such position. While the panels are so held the end panel may be nailed to the cleats l5 and 2|. After the said end panel is attached the box is inverted and the same procedure utilized for securing the other end panel '1 to the cleats l6 and 22. This completes the operation of assembling the box and the box is then ready to be packed. If desired, the box may be packed by hand or the same may be mounted in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and packed as previously explained.

' My invention is highly meritorious and provides a construction whereby considerable time may be saved in the erection of wire bound wooden boxes and in the packing of such boxes and other types of boxes as Well; The invention is exceedingly simple and practical in construction. By means of the particular mechanism employed, uniform travel of the movable abutment toward the stationary abutment is procured so that regardless of the size of the box the same pressure can be applied to the portions of the box to be 4-0 drawn together. The stationary abutments may be attached to the table on which they are supported at any locality with respect thereto so that all sizes and types of boxes may be easily handled and manipulated. There are no complicated or intricate parts of the invention to get out of order and packaging machines constructed in accordance with my invention will last for an exceedingly great length of time. My invention is exceedingly simple to operate and adjustments of the parts of the same can be readily made without inconvenience. 9

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a packaging machine, a support for a box having two portions to be drawn together, a sta- 60 tionary abutment at one side of the support for engagement with one of said portions, a guide extending across said support in the direction of said, stationary abutment, a movable abutment guided by said guide for movement toward and from said stationary abutment and adapted to engage the other portion of the box, a rack movable with said movable abutment, a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to said support,

a pinion carried by said shaft and meshing with 7 said rack, a drum carried by said shaft, a cable fixed relative to said drum and encircling the same and a lever pivoted to said support and connected to said cable for operating said shaft to move the movable abutment toward the fixed abutment.

2. In a packaging machine, a support for a box having two portions to be drawn together, a stationary abutment at one side of the support for engagement with one of said portions, a-guide extending across said support in the direction of posed below the supportingsurface of said supi port, a shaft secured to said shaft and meshing with said rack, and manually operated means for rotating said shaft.

3. In a packaging machine, a support for a box having two portions to be drawn together, a

stationary abutment at one side of the support for engagement with one of said portions, a guide extending acrosssaid support in the direction of said stationary abutment, said guide having a slot extending through the same and a way formed along said slot, a movable abutment having an elongated member guided for movement along said way and exposed from beneath through said slot, a rack on the exposed portion of said elongated member, a pinion meshing with said rack and disposed below said guide, and manually oper: ated means for rotating said pinion.

4. In a packaging machine, a'support for a box having two portions tobe drawn; together, a

stationary abutment at one side of the support for engagement with one of said portions, a guide extending across said support in the direction of said stationary abutment, said guide having a slot extending through the same, a way formed along said slot, a movable abutment having an elongated member guided for movement along said way and exposed from beneath through said slot, a rack on the exposed portion of said elongated member, a shaft disposed below said guide and rotatable relative to said support, a pinion on said shaft meshing with said rack, a drum carried by said shaft, a cable fixed relative to said drum and encircling the same, and a lever pivoted to said support and connected to said cable for operating said shaft to move the movable abutment toward the fixed abutment.

5. In a packaging machine, a support, a station-v ary abutment carried by said support, said support including two spaced bars, said bars having facing grooves therein, an elongated member formed with tongues slidable in said grooves and exposed upon the underside thereof, a movable support carried by said elongated member, arack on the exposed underside of said support, a pinion disposed below said support and rotatable relative thereto, said pinion meshing with said rack, and manually operated means for rotatingsaid pinion.

6. In a packaging machine, a support including legs, a main frame carried by said legs and a lower frame member connected to said legs, a

stationary abutment carried bysaidmain frame, a guide carried by said main frame and extending toward said stationary abutment, an elongated I member guided for movement along said guide and exposed upon the under surface thereof, a movable abutment carried by said elongated member, a rack secured to said elongated member upon the underside thereof, a shaft, bearings secured to said main frame for journaling said shaft, a pinion carried by said shaft and meshing with said rack, a drum secured to said shaft, a lever pivoted to said lower frame member, and a cable fixed relative to said drum and encircling the same, said cable being secured to said lever.

7. In a packaging machine, a frame work including a main frame, an auxiliary frame movable in an up and down direction with respect to said main frame, a support for a box having two portions to be drawn together, said support being carried by said auxiliary frame, a stationary abutment carried by the main frame, a movable abutment'carried by the main frame and movable toward and from the stationary abutment, said-abutments extending above the support at the highest position thereof, said support having an opening therein through which said movable abutment extends, and means for moving said movable abutment toward said stationary abutment.

8; In a packaging machine, a framework including a main rectangular frame, uprights at the corners of said frame, an auxiliary rectangular frame disposed within said uprights, members on said auxiliary frame for adjustably supporting said auxiliary frame on said uprights to maintain said auxiliary frame at predetermined elevations, a support on said auxiliary frame for a box having two portions to be drawn together, a stationary abutment on said main frame, a movable abutment on said main frame movable toward and from the stationary abutment, both of said abutments extending above the supporting surface of said support, and manually operated means for urging said movable abutment toward said stationary abutment to draw said portions of the box together.

9. In a packaging machine, a framework including a main rectangular frame, uprights at the corners of said frame, said uprights being formed with inclined edges, an auxiliary rectangular frame disposed within said uprights, a support on said auxiliary frame for a box having two portions to be drawn together, lugs on said auxiliary frame for engagement with the inclined edges of said uprights to hold the auxiliary frame at predetermined elevations, some of said uprights having notches therein for the reception of said lugs, a stationary abutment carried by said main frame, a movable abutment carried by said main frame and movable toward and from the stationary abutment, said abutments issuing above the supporting surface of said support, and manually operated means for urging said movable abutment toward said stationary abutment to draw said portions of the box together.

10. In a packaging machine, a framework including a main rectangular frame, triangular shaped uprights secured to said frame at the corners thereof and having parallel inclined edges, the edges of some of said uprights being constructed with notches, an auxiliary rectangular frame disposed between said uprights, lugs formed on said auxiliary frame and engaging the inclined surfaces of said uprights, certain of said lugs being receivable within said notches to hold the auxiliary frame in adjusted position with respect to the main frame, a table carried by said auxiliary frame and extending partly across the same to leave an opening in said frame; a guide extending transversely across said main frame, an elongated member guided for movement along said guide, an abutment secured to said main frame at one end of said guide, an abutment secured to said elongated member, said abutments extending above the supporting surface of said table when the table is at its highest position, the abutment on said elongated member being disposed in said opening in the auxiliary frame, and manually operated means for sliding said movable abutment toward said stationary abutment.

11. In a packaging machine, a framework including a main frame having parallel side and end frame members, triangular shaped plate-like uprights secured to said side frame members at the corners of the frame and being formed with inclined edges, some of said uprights having notches in the inclined edges thereof, an auxiliary frame disposed between said uprights and comprising side and end frame members, lugs on said side members of the auxiliary frame for engagement with the inclined edges of said uprights, some of said lugs being received within the notches of said uprights to hold the auxiliary frame in adjusted position, a table carried by said auxiliary frame and extending between said end frame members and being disposed adjacent one side frame member and spaced from the other side frame member, a guide extending transversely between the side frame members of said main frame, an elongated member slidable along said guide, an abutment carried by one of the side frame members of the main frame, an abutment carried by said elongated member, said abutments extending above the surface of said table when at its highest elevation, the abutment secured to said elongated member extending through the space between the spaced side member of the auxiliary frame and the table, and manually operated means for urging said movable abutment toward said stationary abutment.

12. In a packaging machine, a support for a box having two portions to be drawn together, a stationary abutment at one side of the support for engagement with one of said portions, a guide extending across said support in the direction of said stationary abutment, a movable abutment guided by said guide for movement toward and from said stationary abutment and adapted to engage the other portion of the box, a rack movable with said movable abutment, a shaft rotatable with respect to said support, a pinion on said shaft meshing with said rack, a drum on said shaft, a ratchet wheel on said shaft, 2. cable fixed relative to said drum and wound about the same, a lever for operating said cable, a second cable fixed relative to said drum and wound about said drum in the opposite direction, a spring fixed at one end relative to said support and secured to said second named cable, a pawl pivoted relative to said support and engaging said ratchet wheel, and manually operated means carried by said support for moving said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet wheel.

PAUL W. GROW. 

